As the wind flowed over the lake and around the tombstone of Albus Dumbledore, there was only one person there to see the new inscription being written. "He will live forever in the hearts of those he knew." As Harry watched the inscription being written, he knew that his fight hadn't been lost. He now just had to fight even harder to make sure that his memory of Dumbledore didn't die.
As he walked back to the castle, Harry decided that he had to take the fight out to Voldemort. When he entered the Great Hall, the only people left at the Gryffindor table were the seventh years and Ginny. Luna joined them as he sat down.
He nodded to everyone and started, "We have lost a great fighter today. Just know though when I was outside looking at his tombstone, a new inscription appeared. "He will live forever in the hearts of those he knew." That inscription made me realize that grieving is a waste of our time. We must bring the fight to Voldemort and strike hard."
Ron piped in, "We are with you Harry."
Harry nodded in thanks and continued, "Thanks Ron. I am going to ask you to make a very hard choice here. Please do not make it lightly or out of loyalty. I will not be returning to Hogwarts next term. Instead, I will be traveling for a year. Any of you who wish to join me may do so. I will be training myself in several types of martial arts and magic. I plan to fight hard and use every advantage I can. If that involves some Dark magic, I will use it. If you wish to come with me, stay seated. If you feel that it isn't right for you, then you are welcome to leave. I will understand either way."
As Harry waited, Seamus, Lavender, Parvarti, Dean, and Ginny got up. Everyone but Ginny left quietly, but she said "I'm sorry Harry. I don't think I can do that. It just seems to wrong to me. I hope you come back and fight soon though. We will try and do what we can while you are gone."
Harry looked at the remaining people and silently thought. This isn't going to be easy on any of us. I hope we can all handle it. He then said, "Everyone, pack you bags and meet me at the entrance to the Headmaster's Office in two hours. We will leave from there."
As the group dissipated, Hermione asked, "Harry, are you sure you want to do this? A lot can happen in the year we are gone. Wouldn't it be better for us to stay here?"
Harry looked down and quietly replied "No Hermione. Staying here would only bring Voldemort down on us when we aren't ready. We have to be away from the distractions. We can't keep running out to fight Voldemort. I trust Ginny and the Order to keep up the fight while we are gone. Voldemort can't end this without us and he will bide his time I believe. If not, then a lot of good people are going to die. Either way, people are going to die."
Hermione's expression hardened and she nodded in understanding. Ron just sat there with his face as hard as stone. He nodded to Harry and quickly left the Great Hall. Hermione still sat there with Harry. She then grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the Great Hall.
When they entered Gryffindor Tower, Ginny was sitting in a circle with the others talking quietly. As they passed, they nodded to Harry showing they would fight while he was gone.
As the moment passed, Harry and Hermione split up to enter their rooms and pack. Ron still had the steely look in his eyes when Harry entered his room and started to pack. Both finished quickly and together they went down to Common Room to wait for Hermione.
While the boys sat in their chairs, Harry was thinking about where they would go. Grimmauld Place was no longer safe, as Dumbledore was the Secret Keeper. Harry knew of nowhere else that they could go. He turned to Ron and asked "Ron, do you know of anywhere we could go to train? Grimmauld Place isn't safe for us anymore and I don't really know of anywhere else."
Ron thought for a minute and replied, "Harry, I remember hearing my mother talking about the Potter Estate one day. She said that when you turned 17 or your guardian emancipated you, everything was yours. She also said that the Potter estate was one of the largest in the wizarding world. I'm sure that you own more properties than we know of. Since Dumbledore is dead, your guardian has to be either the Dursley's or McGonagall. You should talk to her about it."
Harry was surprised Ron knew this but said, "Wow, Ron. I didn't know you paid attention to stuff like that. I'm going to go talk to McGonagall now. Wait here for Hermione and then meet me outside the Headmaster's office at the appointed time."
Harry got up and left quickly, leaving Ron waiting for Hermione. Harry though had new admiration for Ron.
Harry stood in front of the Gargoyle, after telling it he wanted to speak to the Headmistress. He waited for almost three minutes before the Gargoyle stepped aside and Remus exited. He looked surprised to see Harry, but quickly stepped aside and allowed Harry to go up the stairs. Harry ran up the stairs and entered McGonagall's office.
He saw her behind her desk shifting through papers. He stood there until she waved him over. He sat down and she asked, "Harry, what can I do for you?"
Harry replied " I need to find out who my legal guardian is Professor. I need access to my accounts and properties. Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville and I won't be returning next term. We are going off to train and not in ways you could teach us. We need the money and properties tied up in those accounts Professor. The only way I can access that is if I am emancipated."
McGonagall quickly signed a piece of paper sitting on her desk and handed it to him. She said, "Dumbledore left this for me if you asked. He thought you might follow this path. He also left me a letter telling me to remind you that what you two pursued must also be found before the fight. I wish you would return next year as fighting Voldemort without you will just be a stalling action. I hope you know what you are doing and how many people you are jeopardizing. If you do, then I wish you best of luck and hope you return as soon as possible. Goodbye."
Harry was shocked at the abrupt dismissal but took his emancipation letter and quickly left. He didn't want her to change her mind or try and stop him.
As Harry exited the Gargoyle, he found Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Luna waiting for him. They looked at him and waited. Harry sighed and held up the letter. He started "We are leaving now. We have to stop at Gringotts and then from there we will find somewhere to train. This letter gives me access to the entire Potter estate, as Ron believes there are several properties tied up in that estate. Hopefully he is right."
The group nodded and they followed Harry away from the gargoyle and toward the Entrance Hall. The group exited the castle amid points and whispers from the Great Hall.
When the five reached the front gate, the group quietly looked back. They all knew that they were leaving behind friends, family, and their childhood, or what was left. They just hoped that they could salvage what was left to them when they returned. That is if they returned in good enough shape, mentally and physically, to return to society.
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